Huge jump for Leggate.

Bio-ethanol powered Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship racer Fiona Leggate has hit the track for the first time in 2006 as she tested her newly sponsored Astra at Donington, and the Lincolnshire farmer's daughter reckons she's made a huge jump forwards.

Speaking to Crash.net after a day's testing at Donington Park last week, Leggate was happy with her progress.

"It was really good," she said of her test on Thursday. "I've made a huge jump in confidence and learnt a lot about the car. Just the dynamics of it going round corners and understanding the differences my inputs have."

Leggate made her touring car debut part way through the 2005 season and because this has only enjoyed very limited test time in her car. She has also had an operation on her wrist last year and a test at Donington the previous week was the first time she has been out in action on track since then.

Whilst at Donington, Leggate checked out some of the opposition testing and was impressed by the pace of Mike Jordan, who will run a Team Dynamics-built Honda Integra Type-R. "He was pretty nippy," said Leggate. "He would go out for a lap and straight away he was right on it."

As part of her preparations for the forthcoming season, Leggate will be starting a training regime with Boston United Football Club. Fiona has been a long supporter of Boston United and is looking forward to the fitness sessions with the team.

When asked by Crash.net if Leggate would be sharing the traditional post football training communal showers, the touring car driver denied this would be the case.